What are your wants and needs?

[Dizzie]

More bikes! This time last year I trawled the shops for the one bike! the bike that would do everything. Everybody told me that one bike couldn't do everything. Over what seemed like months I was not sold a Specialized, Cannondale or Pinarello as my body configuration is odd apparently, I need a 50 top tube but a seat height of 68. It actually is a good way of rapid learning that in England most bike shops don't cater for women or perhaps just women like me!. I eventually ended up back in my local shop and buying an old stock Sabbath Silk Road, Titanium and not pretty, I so wanted a pretty bike like the Cannondale 2010 Super Six. However I had a few bits changed on it, removed and replaced the graphics and changed the bar tape until it looked right. Then I didn't want to ride it in Winter as the salt might mark it, enter Grace my pretty little Felt mountain bike. 16 miles on her is the equivalant of about 40 on the Sabbath. Now I can't go quick enough so need a race bike ..... I've come to the conclusion that bikes are like guitars you can never have enough.
It is interesting though that apart from Specialized and Cannondale the must have bikes there and here seem very different. apart from on-line I haven't seen any Trek. Do you have Bianchi, Van Nicholas, Cube or Orbea?

[Cycling Sister]

More bikes! This time last year I trawled the shops for the one bike! the bike that would do everything. Everybody told me that one bike couldn't do everything. Over what seemed like months I was not sold a Specialized, Cannondale or Pinarello as my body configuration is odd apparently, I need a 50 top tube but a seat height of 68. It actually is a good way of rapid learning that in England most bike shops don't cater for women or perhaps just women like me!. I eventually ended up back in my local shop and buying an old stock Sabbath Silk Road, Titanium and not pretty, I so wanted a pretty bike like the Cannondale 2010 Super Six. However I had a few bits changed on it, removed and replaced the graphics and changed the bar tape until it looked right. Then I didn't want to ride it in Winter as the salt might mark it, enter Grace my pretty little Felt mountain bike. 16 miles on her is the equivalant of about 40 on the Sabbath. Now I can't go quick enough so need a race bike ..... I've come to the conclusion that bikes are like guitars you can never have enough.
It is interesting though that apart from Specialized and Cannondale the must have bikes there and here seem very different. apart from on-line I haven't seen any Trek. Do you have Bianchi, Van Nicholas, Cube or Orbea?

Dizzie, Some of my favorite people are from across the pond! I take it for granted that everyone has access to the same bikes. But, then I remember how I have to stock up on certain brands when I'm in a different country because we can't them here. I'm not sure about the Van Nicholas and Cube. I think we can get them here. I'd have to travel over an hour to shop for a Pinarello and Cervelo. Still I see those on the road frequently. Trek, Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Bianchi and Orbea are quite common here.

LOL on the bikes are like guitars. I'm starting to realize that is true. I saw a used Sabbath Silk Road at the lbs where I bought my frame. I thought it was a nice bike! That particular lbs has bikes that are not commonly found at most dealerships. The Cannondale Super Six is a beautiful bike! If I ever decide to shop for a carbon bike, I'd like to test the women's Cannondale Evo. I thought the Super Six was a racier bike? How does it handle for you?

I would love to see pictures of your bikes.

[Koronin]

I've discovered that I need a more aggressive riding position for almost any type of bike. The more stretched out I am the more comfortable I am on the bike. Also for me WSD for road bikes is totally useless. I am sort so that makes it even harder, but I have short legs with a longer torso/arms. I wanted a carbon road bike, which I have and love that bike (Felt F5). I have an entry level Trek mountain bike (aluminum) which is just fine, since I still have issues riding any bike anywhere other than on pavement of any kind. Also have an entry level cruiser type bike that is most likely what we'll be taking on vacations. Actually bought it specifically to take to Bristol for the NASCAR races. The farther away from the track you can park the cheaper it is to park and the easier it is to get out. However, who wants to walk 2 plus miles to and from the track. So enter buying a bike specifically for that. The other idea is we plan on eventually taking a vacation to Oakracoke Island (part of the Outer Banks in NC). It is much easier to get around that island on bike than with a car, so the hope is to take the bikes with us so once we get to were we are staying we can leave the car (well pick up truck) parked for the time we're there and use those bikes as transportation.

[TigerMom]

I've discovered that I need a more aggressive riding position for almost any type of bike. The more stretched out I am the more comfortable I am on the bike. Also for me WSD for road bikes is totally useless. I am sort so that makes it even harder, but I have short legs with a longer torso/arms. I wanted a carbon road bike, which I have and love that bike (Felt F5).

I am also short 5ft1in with long arms and torso. Since I was between sizes 44cm and 48cm, I had to buy the larger 48cm and the more aggressive road bike with the longer top tube, the Specialized Amira (which feels more like a comfort bike to me). I felt too scrunched on the Ruby. So, I still have to tilt my bike when I stop due to my short legs, even with my WSD slanted top tube. But I feel very comfortable when I ride my Amira. I am also glad that I splurged on carbon instead of aluminum for my first road bike due to the less weight and more comfort during biking.

I have also found that I am a Shimano lady. I personally had a hard time physically shifting with the SRAM and also mentally remembering which direction the gears go during shifting. I have yet to try Campy. Maybe I better not try, since Super Campy is expensive and I'll get even more "upgraditis".

______________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[Koronin]

I am also short 5ft1in with long arms and torso. Since I was between sizes 44cm and 48cm, I had to buy the larger 48cm and the more aggressive road bike with the longer top tube, the Specialized Amira (which feels more like a comfort bike to me). I felt too scrunched on the Ruby. So, I still have to tilt my bike when I stop due to my short legs, even with my WSD slanted top tube. But I feel very comfortable when I ride my Amira. I am also glad that I splurged on carbon instead of aluminum for my first road bike due to the less weight and more comfort during biking.

I have also found that I am a Shimano lady. I personally had a hard time physically shifting with the SRAM and also mentally remembering which direction the gears go during shifting. I have yet to try Campy. Maybe I better not try, since Super Campy is expensive and I'll get even more "upgraditis".

______________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

I'm just slightly shorter than you are. 5ft0in. I did look at the Amira which I was considering. I would have had to get the 44cm, as the 48 is a good bit to tall for me. I had the same feeling with the Dolce that you had with the Ruby. I also had that same scrunched feeling with the Trek Lexa.